June 26

Born in 1581 in Verdú, Spain, Pedro Claver joined the Society of Jesus and sailed to Cartagena de Indias in 1610. He became known as the “slave of the slaves” for his tireless work among newly arrived African captives. Claver provided food, medical care, education, and spiritual consolation, irrespective of race or status. His compassion and advocacy earned him beatification in 1850 and canonization in 1888. Today, he is remembered as the patron saint of slaves and interracial justice.

Born in 1600 in Zaragoza, Spain, Juan de Palafox y Mendoza was appointed Bishop of Puebla in 1640 and later served as interim Viceroy of New Spain from 1642 to 1645. He sought to reform church and state institutions, challenging the power of religious orders and local nobility. His vigorous efforts to improve governance and curb corruption led to conflict with the Jesuits and colonial magnates. Palafox returned to Spain, where he continued his ecclesiastical career and left a legacy of advocacy for indigenous rights. He was beatified by the Catholic Church in 2011.

Thomas Clap was an influential American minister and educator born on June 26, 1703, in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Ordained as a Congregational minister, he became the pastor of the First Church in New London. In 1740, Clap was appointed the sixth president of Yale College, where he modernized the curriculum by emphasizing classical languages and mathematics. He introduced strict disciplinary measures and strengthened Yale’s academic standards, laying the groundwork for its future prestige. Clap authored theological writings and maintained correspondence with leading European scholars. Although his tenure sparked debates over academic freedom and religious conformity, his contributions to higher education were widely recognized. He passed away in 1767, leaving a complex legacy of intellectual rigor.

Sultan Ahmad Nanupuri was a prominent Bangladeshi Islamic scholar and educator. He studied at the renowned Darul Uloom Deoband in India, mastering classical Islamic sciences. Nanupuri returned to Bangladesh to teach Hadith, Quranic exegesis, and Arabic literature. He founded several madrassas, shaping generations of religious leaders and scholars. His pedagogical approach combined strict scholarship with compassion for students. Nanupuri authored treatises on theology, ethics, and spirituality in Islam. He remained a respected spiritual guide until his passing in 1997.

Born in 1936, Jean-Claude Turcotte was ordained a priest in 1961 and became Archbishop of Montreal in 1990. He was elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 1994. Known for his pastoral leadership and dedication to social justice, he guided his community through times of change. Cardinal Turcotte fostered interfaith dialogue and championed charitable initiatives across Canada. He retired in 2012 and passed away in 2015, leaving a legacy of compassion and service.

Ogyen Trinley Dorje was officially recognized by the Dalai Lama as the 17th Karmapa at age seven. He assumed spiritual leadership of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and was enthroned in Sikkim, India. The Karmapa has traveled worldwide to promote Tibetan culture, environmental conservation, and education. He founded the Karmapa Foundation to support humanitarian and cultural preservation projects. Issuing teachings in multiple languages, he remains a prominent voice for peace and compassion within the global Buddhist community.